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Source: Congress.gov
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Before we get started, I want to recognize Ms. Simon, who's going to lead us in the pledge and the prayer. Would you please stand? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. waves and we acknowledge that you put us here to serve and to speak truth and to be together to do the right thing the right thing meaning your way in your stead the beautiful and amazing guests that we have here today amplify the tapestry of this beautiful nation that you have set forth and you allow us to be in and we are so thankful heavenly father in your name In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we say amen. Amen. Good morning. Good afternoon. I now call the Committee on Small Business to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the committee at any time. I now recognize myself from my opening statement. Welcome to today's House Committee on Small Business opening day hearing. or Member Day hearing. I want to thank each of you for taking the time to come before the committee to share what you are hearing from small business owners in your districts. Member Day is an opportunity for us to get a pulse on the issues facing Main Street America. We deeply value your time and the voice of you and your constituents.
Now, to me, owning a small business embodies the very essence of the American dream, the opportunity for an American from any background to take risks, work hard, and build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our economy depends on small business and the workers they employ. In fact, 99% of businesses are small, and they employ half of American workers. From local manufacturers to retail employees, service workers, and bankers, small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy, shaping their communities through their dedication, creativity, and resilience. It is no secret that small businesses have faced historic challenges over the past four years. The COVID-19 pandemic, out-of-control inflation, broken supply chains, high interest rates, and a national labor shortage. To add insult to injury and over-regulation, bad policy under the previous administration hurt small businesses even further. Every extra hour of paperwork is one less hour they can tend to their personal livelihoods, and every inflated tax is an extra dollar that could have gone back into their business. We see hope on the horizon through a pro-business administration committed to lowering taxes and cutting regulations. House Republicans are working with President Trump and Ambassador Loeffler to create an environment where businesses can thrive. We salute the entrepreneurs who continue to fight and give selflessly back to their communities. We're eager to enact policy solutions that will have a path toward success for both now and the future. Here on the Committee on Small Business, our mission is to listen, learn, and better understand the challenges of committees opportunity impacts on Main Street America. That is why we look forward to hearing from representatives from across the country as they recount the experiences of small business owners in their district. Today's conversation will shed light on many challenges plaguing American small business. Increasing the dialogue between members can and off and off the committee can only strengthen and broaden our understanding of how to better serve our nation's biggest job creators. I want to thank all of you for being here today. I'm looking forward to today's conversation. With that, I yield to Mr. Tran from the great state of California for opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Today, we'll hear directly from our fellow members of Congress about their views on the federal programs and policies that promote small business creation and growth. In the last four years, our nation has seen an unprecedented small business boom and come back in the face of an equally unprecedented global pandemic and recession. Under the previous administration, Main Street received critical assistance and investment from historic legislative victories, putting our economy on a uniquely strong path to recovery. Small employers, tech startups operating out of their garages, family farms, and Main Street restaurants all flourished in the last four years. They are joined by 22 million new small businesses. We're well on our way to a slice of the American dream. But since then, the Trump administration has proven to be a nightmare for entrepreneurs. Members of both parties are hearing at town halls nationwide that America's main streets are increasingly threatened by the economic uncertainty and chaos emanating from the Trump administration's policies. In particular, President Trump's tariffs imperil the livelihoods of millions of American entrepreneurs and employers, all of whom are staring down added costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. In fact, 88 percent of small firms rely upon imports for the goods they produce and sell, with many inputs and components lacking viable domestic alternatives. Furthermore, the suddenness of these tariffs, as well as their pauses and increases, ignores how most businesses operate regardless of their size, as the White House repeatedly flip-flops on tariffs.
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